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25 Signs You Grew Up Latino In Texas

Growing up Latino in Texas was an experience unlike any other -- and one you wouldn't trade for the world. To put it simply, you got the best of both worlds: refried beans and chili, Spanish slang and Southern drawl, paletas and Blue Bell Ice Cream, Jarritos and Dublin Dr Pepper. Let's just say, you don't envy anyone who grew up outside the greatest state in the world.

Can you relate? Here are 25 signs you grew up Latino in the Lone Star State:

(P.S. This list is by no means exhaustive, and doesn't cover everybody's experience growing up in Texas. Please, feel free to share your own in the comments!)

1.
Texas: Spicy Ketchup

When the friendly employee at Whataburger asks you if you want some Spicy Ketchup with your Honey BBQ Chicken Sandwich and fries, there's only one acceptable answer: "Yes, please. More, please." Nothing is too spicy for a Latino kid from Texas.

2.
Texas: Pinatas

3.
Texas: Selena

You know the words to Selena by heart, and you could sing the full lyrics to "Como La Flor" in your sleep. Let's be real, Selena Quintanilla is a national treasure, but she's also a Texas icon. Former Governor George W. Bush even proclaimed April 12th as "Selena Day" in all of Texas. Viva Selena!

6.
Texas: Queso

You've had serious and heated arguments over whose mama makes the best chile con queso. You may still hold a very serious grudge against a friend who insisted that her mom's watery cheese sauce was better than your mother's delicious, thick and creamy, rajas-filled queso.

9.
Texas: Tortillas

No matter how low on groceries you were, there were always tortillas, and your parents could think of a million ways for you to eat them: "Mija, there's peanut butter and tortillas. Make yourself a sandwich!"

14.
Texas: La Llorona

15.
Texas: Taco Cabana

All the haters complained that Taco Cabana wasn't real Mexican food, but it still tasted pretty damn good at 3am, didn't it? As you grew older, you learned to appreciate the taste of a warm street taco after a night of hard drinking. The best part was the happy hour special, when margaritas were sold for just $1.50. Only in Texas...

16.
Texas: Quince

Every Friday and Saturday night of your eighth grade through sophomore year of high school was spent at one of your friend's or cousin's quinceañera. You probably even danced in a few, and your mom tried (and failed) to convince you to reuse the dress for homecoming.

23.
Texas: Breakfast tacos

24.
Texas: Sonic

Summer meant driving to Sonic during happy hour with your best friend and ordering two Cherry Limeades (or Ocean Waters, depending on your mood.) There was only one method of payment for Sonic runs: all the loose change you found at the bottom of your cup holder.

25.
Texas: Culture

Best of all, growing up Latino in Texas gave you a well-deserved sense of entitlement. Even if you no longer live in the Lone Star State, you'll always know that you grew up in the greatest state in the country with the greatest combination of cultures in the world! Being Texan, American, and Latino are all a part of your unique identity -- and you wouldn't have it any other way!